Yankees Should Bring Giovanny Gallegos into Bullpen Mix

Kirby Yates…Richard Bleier…Nick Goody…Anthony Swarzak. Stop me if any of those names excite you or give you a sense of security as they toe the rubber.

Honestly, they shouldn’t. Other than Swarzak, no other pitcher in the group has an ERA under 4.35.

The Yankees have an embarrassment of riches in their endgame with their closer, Aroldis Chapman, and two “set-up men,” Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.

However, the bridge between where the starters exit the game and ‘No Runs DMC’ enters has been an engineering disaster of late.

Rather than scouring the trade market for plug-ins, the Yankees have a qualified internal option tearing up the lower levels.

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Right-hander Giovanny Gallegos is a perfect fit for the Major League bullpen, which is in need of innings-eaters and better results from the middle relievers. Gallegos has only allowed two earned runs since May 14th, pitching 20 innings of 24-strikeout baseball while walking three. In nine of his last 10 outings, he’s gone longer than one inning.

Split between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Gallegos boasts a 1.40 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 53 strikeouts, and eight free passes in 38.2 innings.

In 282.2 minor-league frames, Gio has compiled an impressive career 8.7 K/9 ratio that has gradually improved throughout his ascension of the ranks.

Baseball America incorporated a synopsis of the 24-year-old pitcher, whom the Yankees signed out of Mexico, in an International Report segment back in 2012.

"“Gallegos, 20, was throwing the ball well until he got hurt and had Tommy John surgery last summer. Before the injury, he does have good arm action and a nice, smooth delivery, which helps him command his fastball to both sides of the plate. With a well-developed 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, Gallegos flashes average velocity and touches 92 mph. His breaking ball and curveball both flash average and he throws them for strikes fairly well for his age.” – Baseball America"

The part that should excite fans is that Gallegos has lived up to his report and shown flashes of dominance that could be an appetizer of a greater future to come.

He isn’t the sexiest name in the Yankees’ system, but he’s a hot arm, and the club could use any of those possible at this point if they plan to stay afloat in the playoff race.

Besides, if the Yankees’ bullpen is going to be four-sevenths comprised of no-name relievers, they might as well find a somebody that can get the job done.

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